A TON has happened since the last blog post. First off, let me explain this posts title.
Soon after my last update, Papa and I were made aware that bio dad was attending our church in hopes of receiving help from the homeless ministry there. We had been told (because it is what he told the courts) that he had returned back to his home state. We were surprised and shocked to find out that he was living homeless here in our backyard!!
Immediately I start asking, 'Why God? Why are you making this so difficult?' I immediately feel as though I am being tested. How much can I handle? Do we ask him to stop coming? Can we legally do that? And then I was reminded as to why we are fostering through the private agency we are. The 'systems' goal is re-unification. That has to be our goal as well. And what is best for the kids? Parents that know and love the Lord is what is best. I remember meetings with our church staff as we asked them to be a partner church with this agency, and how the foster care ministry would be the perfect compliment to the homeless ministry. As they nurture and mentor parents, we have a safe place for their children to be placed.
Ok God. I get it. This is actually an answer to my prayer, and the perfect picture of what 'the church' is supposed to be. We honestly believe bio dad doesn't know the kids go there. Papa has seen him a few times, but we have the most amazing church family that rallies around us and the kids to protect them from seeing bio dad and not being able to go with him. My prayer every Sunday is that he does come. That he is there. And that he hears, and his life is touched.
We also had another court date. Bio dad requested that he be given custody of the kids and the ability to take them back to their home state. Bio mom remains incarcerated. (I am unsure of her release date.) DFCS was pushing to have the kids transferred to another foster home(s) in that state until that state was able to clear dad for custody. However, bio dad tested positive for drugs, so his request was denied. Bio mom WAS NOT happy to put it lightly, and wants the kids to stay put until she can 'get out'.
I was very encouraged by that. I felt a tug on my heart for her. If re-unification happens..this woman is the kids only hope. I feel very led to reach out to her. Maybe mom to mom, God can create a relationship that He can move through. This is not easy for me. I am very ignorant of drugs and addictions. I see her as lazy, selfish, and un-fit to be a mother to these kids. However, I must see her how God sees her. He loves her. He sees the amazing woman He created. This has consumed my prayer life lately. I struggle with what to say and how to say it. I struggle with not sounding 'better' than she is. I am no better than she is. I have simply been washed by grace. My Savior is better, and she desperately needs to know Him.
We are coming up on the end of our Thanksgiving holidays. We took the kids to Crackle Barrel to celebrate. We had a lot of fun and they ate a plate full!! We have court again in December. We will see then what will happen next. Your prayers are always appreciated. There is power in the unity of prayer....and Papa and I feel it!!!
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